GLASS HALF FULL: The Knicks’ two highest-paid players, Carmelo Anthony (left) and Amar’e Stoudemire, both struggled at times during the first half of the season. Photo: UPI

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ORLANDO, Fla. — Amar’e Stoudemire is not at the All-Star Weekend festivities here, not visiting family in the area in which he was raised.

The Knicks forward, while grieving his brother’s death in nearby Lake Wales, Fla., two weeks ago, was bypassed for the All-Star Game in the coaches’ voting for reserves, missing out on a chance to perform in his hometown.

Stoudemire is a six-time All-Star and this marks the first time he has been healthy and missed the event since 2004. But this has hardly been an All-Star season for Stoudemire.

Stoudemire believes he sacrificed for the better good of the Knicks after Carmelo Anthony arrived last season and has blown his chance this season.

“No worries,’’ said Stoudemire late Thursday night in Miami after the Knicks entered the All-Star break following their loss to the Heat. “I’ve spent a year where I’ve pretty much had to sacrifice a lot of my game. Whatever it takes to win. That’s the ultimate goal. If it’s sacrificing the All-Star Game for the betterment of the team, it’s how it goes sometimes.’’

Stoudemire has no qualms about not playing. He is vacationing in the Caribbean, trying to refresh himself, regain his mental focus broken by his brother’s tragic death in a car crash on Feb. 6. Stoudemire has a tear tattooed below his right eye in his brother’s memory.

“The break is always great,’’ Stoudemire said. “You want a break from your job now and then. It’s a great opportunity to unwind and reflect on the first half of the year, enjoy the family, get back to work. Anytime you get a break from the game to kick back, relax and enjoy the family, it’s good. … I’m going to sit back and relax on the beach, sit in nice, cool shade and hang out.’’

Stoudemire is averaging 17.5 points per game this season — well down from his 25.3 average during what some thought was his career season in 2010-11 when he lifted the Knicks back into prominence. Yesterday, Anthony referred to Stoudemire as “having the city in his hands’’ when Anthony arrived a year ago.

Stoudemire has his excuses and has made them. He has talked about playing with a revolving set of new teammates during his stint, even in the past week. He hopes — even in a diminished role — he will come back with vigor even if the stats won’t reflect an All-Star level.

Coach Mike D’Antoni has major decisions with minutes at the forward spots with rookie power forward Josh Harrellson returning to the lineup after the break. The Knicks feel Harrellson already may be a better interior defender than Stoudemire. Meanwhile, forward Steve Novak has been an ace from the 3-point line off the bench and Jared Jeffries a defensive stalwart. Stoudemire’s game has flat-lined.

Stoudemire is also now sharing pick-and-roll opportunities with center Tyson Chandler, which has been as much an adjustment as sharing the court with Anthony. So far, Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin haven’t clicked as a surefire scoring tandem.

Stoudemire said he believes the upcoming practices — the Knicks play one game in seven days after the break — will get him back in sync.

“It will be great for us to finally get some practice time,’’ he said. “Everybody will get healthy, sharpen our skills. It will benefit all of us.’’